Family Structure, Parenting, Genes and the Co-Development of Behavioral Problems

Colter Mitchell, University of Michigan

Child behavioral problems co-occur at a higher rate than would be expected by chance, but little is known about the development of more than one domain or how co-development relates predictors. The present study uses identified groups based on the co-development of behavioral problems in children ages 3-9 and examines how these trajectory groups are associated with family structure and parenting prior to age 3 in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. We also include serotonergic and dopaminergic pathway genes known to be related to behavioral problems and sensitivity to environmental influence. We find that being in one of the three groups: 1) a low symptoms class, 2) a decreasing symptoms class, and 3) a severe symptoms class for internalizing and externalizing (and anxiety and depression) is strongly associated with family structure and parenting. Further genes appear to only play a significant role among the severe symptoms group.